Faucets are a vital part of your home’s structure. Having a leaky faucet can be annoying to the point of disrupting your sleep. Faucet leaks can also rack up your monthly water costs one drip at a time. Damage to your home also becomes inevitable the more you allow this plumbing problem to continue. With good reason, homeowners are intimidated to find the cause of the problem. Likewise, many are too gun shy about calling a plumber for such a minor issue. Inevitably, the problem persists, costing the homeowner more and potentially leading to a bigger plumbing issue.
What Makes A Faucet Leak?
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There are different reasons behind a faucet leak. It might be hard to find the time in your busy schedule to deal with the leaky faucets in your home. However, you need to put some time aside and fix them before they get out of hand.
The Importance Of Fixing A Leaky Faucet
Here are a few of the reasons you need to fix all faucet leaks in your home:
- Faucet Wear & Tear: A leaky faucet can result in your faucet washers to undergo wear and tear faster. When this happens, these components will need to be replaced sooner than they usually would.
- Water Waste: Although it might not seem much, the water that leaks from your faucet adds up the longer you ignore it. The Environmental Protection Agency states that a drip per second can waste up to 3,000 gallons a year. This amount of water is equal to more than 180 showers, so it is best to have your leaky faucet fixed to minimize wasting water.
- Higher Water Bill: The more water you use, the higher your water bill will be. The water wasted via leaky faucets can accumulate and rack up your monthly water bills. Save money by fixing leaks as soon as possible.
Common Causes Of Faucet Leaks
The most common plumbing leaks are those that come from your faucets. Here are some of what causes the troublesome leaks in your kitchen or bathroom:
- High Water Pressure: If the leak happens during a specific time, like when no other plumbing fixture is used. The water pressure might be too high, which becomes a problem when no faucet is turned on, or no other plumbing fixture is used throughout your house. It could start with a leak in your faucet and escalate to pinhole leaks in the piping that worsens over time. The water pressure needs to be evaluated by a professional and restored to the right level.
- Damaged Or Worn Faucet Components: A steady drip from your faucet can mean a few things depending on the kind of faucet you have. It can be that the washer needs replacing. If you have a compression faucet, there might be damage in the seals from the water pressure. On the other hand, cartridge faucets might need the cartridge or other moving components to be replaced.
- Cracks In The Plumbing: There might be a crack on the plumbing pipe, or the fitting is loose. These issues will cause the closest faucet to the leaking pipe to leak as well. If you notice a slow but steady leak on the faucet, check the pipes beneath the sink for any holes, cracks, or if the fittings are loose. Have a professional do a thorough inspection as the water leak could also be behind the walls.
Kinds Of Faucet Leaks
There are generally two kinds of faucet leaks, namely, a lower leak and an upper leak.
Lower Faucet Leak
A lower leak happens in the water supply tube leading into the faucet. These leaks are particularly destructive since water is put onto surfaces that are not meant to stay constantly wet.
Fortunately, fixing a lower leak is relatively easy. The leak can often be eliminated by tightening the nut that connects the pipe to the faucet body. Many modern designs use nuts that are designed to be finger tightened. Therefore, no tools are required at all. Others may require the use of a pair of slip-joint pliers.
Sometimes, it is the supply tube itself that has failed. In this case, it is necessary to first shut off the water supply to the faucet. Do this via a shutoff valve located directly underneath the faucet. Next, remove and replace the offending tube. The best way to get the right replacement is to remove the old one and then take it to the local building supply company for a match. However, this type of task is best left for a professional plumber.
Upper Faucet Leak
Fixing an upper leak is a little more challenging. Faucets are either a single or double valve that allows water into the faucet body when the handle is turned. Leaks often occur when the rubber O rings inside the valve become worn out.
Replacing these is usually pretty simple once you get the valve apart. Start by removing the handle. This usually requires either a Phillips screwdriver or an Allen wrench. Once the handle is off, the valve body needs to be taken off as well. This is typically held in place by a large decorative-looking nut on top of the fixture. It is best to wrap the circumference of it with tape or a towel so that you do not scuff up the finish on it.
The valve’s inner workings consist of a plastic, nylon, or brass cartridge with several O rings. It is best to buy completely new cartridges in some cases, and in others, it is possible to simply purchase new O rings. Your friendly guy in the plumbing aisle will show you which is which. Reverse the process and say goodbye to drips. Once again, there may be more occurring than what meets the eye. When it comes to water leaks and plumbing fixture repair, it is best to hire the trained eye of a plumber. They will know what led to the problem in the first place and offer viable solutions to remedy the issue.
For Faucet Leak Repair, Contact Robinson Plumbing
Be sure to contact a professional plumber for any severe faucet leaks in your home. Your leaky faucets can be an indication that there is a bigger issue than what meets the eye. If you have a severe leaky faucet or if you need plumbing services, contact Robinson Plumbing today. Robinson Plumbing is a local, family-owned company that is known for trusted, quality service.
Our company provides fast and reliable plumbing services, such as maintenance, repairs, and replacements. Rest assured that your plumbing system is in excellent hands with our licensed and professional plumbers on the job. We will ensure that your plumbing system will work as expected and repairs are performed in an affordable and time-efficient manner. We will be happy to answer all your concerns and queries. Schedule an appointment with Robinson Plumbing today. We offer free estimates.
Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or click here to contact us for any questions that you might have!